Minimally Invasive Therapy for Palpable Undescended Testes / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the minimally invasive treatment for palpable undescended testes in the inguinal area.Methods Between August 2007 and March 2008,60 cases(74 testicular units)with palpable undescended testes in the inguinal area were treated by scrotal incision orchiopexy or/and laparoscopic orchiopexy depending on the location of inguinal testes.Results Among the 60 patients,26 cases who had the testes located between the external inguinal ring and the upper scrotum,received scrotal incision orchiopexy,of which the testes were fixed at the bottom of the scrotum in 23 cases,and at the upper scrotum in 1 case;the other 2(both had the undescended testis at the right side,between the external inguinal ring and the upper scrotum)were converted to laparoscopic orchiopexy because of unsatisfying surgical outcomes.The other 34 cases received laparoscopic orchiopexy,of which the testes were located in the groin in 16(41.1%)cases,close to the external inguinal ring in 18(52.9%),and complicated with indirect inguinal hernia in 8(23.5%,ligation of the hernia sac was performed at the level of internal inguinal ring);the testes were fixed at the bottom scrotum in the cases.The 60 patients were followed up for 3-6 months(mean,4.3 months)by B-ultrasonography,none of them showed atrophy or retraction of the testes,or indirect inguinal hernia.ConclusionsScrotal incision orchiopexy is feasible for palpable inguinal testes if the testis can be pulled upon to the upper scrotum,if not or the testis cannot be fixed on the bottom scrotum,laparoscopic orchiopexy should be used.Both of the procedures are effective.